THE DEVIL WEARS A JERSEY

WHEN DEVILS COLLIDE

I barely saw Ryder this week. He was practising for that game as if his life depended on it.

Well, it sort of did.

I hope he wins this match. Not that I care or anything, but he'll be in a better mood after beating that stinky Callahan.

I looked through his i********:, and man, was he hot. He is the only person who could go head-on with Ryder in a hot battle. If that existed.

Well, I didn't have to think of sports anymore after this match. The match everyone had been talking about.

"I still can't believe you're going for the game." Sarah said as she watched me put my hair in a ponytail.

"I am." I said, adding more lip gloss to the liner on my lips.

"And you are wearing Ryder's jersey for the game?" She asked as she looked at the 17 boldly in the middle.

"Yeah, he asked me to wear it." I said.

"Since when does Ryder tell you what to wear?" She looked at me in amused flabbergast.

"Since he started coming to the library to see me every day." I shrugged.

She didn't know seeing me meant him bothering me and not letting me achieve anything I wanted to.

He always came before me. Ready to collect my shift with me. Just so he could annoy me. I can never finish a book when he is around.

"You're thinking about him, aren't you?" Sarah snapped me out of my thoughts.

"I'm not." I said, standing up.

"You were smiling." She said.

"Your point?" I asked.

"You only smile weird like that when you think about Ryder or when you casually pr not so casually bring him up in our conversations." She said.

"I feel like you are over exaggerating." I said with a smile.

"Okay...., If you say so, Mrs. 17." She said, walking out the door.

"Don't call me that." I followed directly behind her.

At the game, I couldn't help but get social anxiety.

The crowd was wild. All the girls were so pretty, making me feel kind of insecure.

Maybe one of the reasons I didn't participate in the sports craze was because I felt like I wouldn't fit in.

Northvale jerseys filled one side of the stands, while a sea of Westbridge jerseys occupied the other. Students screamed through the bleachers, and every few seconds, Ryder's name was screamed.

But it wasn't just Ryder this time, I also heard Jace from the Westbridge side.

I tightened my grip on my notebook. I really hope Ryder wins this match.

The Westbridge players stepped into the ice. And there he was....

Jace Callahan.

I have heard enough to expect the worst from him. But instead, he smiled at the crowd.

Calm, confident, and almost charming.

Then his eyes met Ryder's.

The smile disappeared.

It was as if they were waging war from where each of them was standing.

The game started, and all I saw was that there was competition between Ryder and Jace.

It was not Northvale versus Westbridge.

It was Ryder versus Jace.

Ryder scores. Jace answers.

Ryder steals a puck. Jace steals it back.

Ryder gets a breakaway. Jace catches him.

They weren't just competing. They were watching each other.

I was writing so fast because I couldn't miss the game.

I dropped my note pad and stood as Ryder was about to score.

He scored.

"Come on, Ryder!" I yelled. The words left my mouth before I could stop them.

I froze.

Did I just cheer?

Sarah turned to look at me. I was yelling Ryder's name at a hockey match. His hockey match. Wearing his jersey.

Ryder glanced toward the stands. Sweat dripping down his face. Looking sexier than ever.

Our eyes met.

And I knew he heard over the thousands of people screaming.

He smiled.

The last round was intense.

Both teams are exhausted.

Ryder gets the puck.

Jace is right there.

They battle for possession.

Ryder gets a chance to score.

Jace stops him.

Final whistle.

Tie.

And neither man looks satisfied.

The announcer clears his throat. "It seems both teams will be contending for the end of the year game where all the biggest scouts will be watching. Congr Westbridge and Northvale."

Jace and Ryder are still staring at each other as the crowd goes wild.

No. I wanted Ryder to win.

After the game, I ran down to the hallway behind the locker rooms, waiting for Ryder.

I heard a voice from behind me.

"You must be Lena."

I turned.

The first thing I noticed was the Westbridge jersey.

The second was the name.

Callahan.

My stomach dropped down to my butt.

He smiled.

I expected arrogant, cold, maybe even cruel.

But then he extended his hand. He wanted a handshake. I hesitated before shaking him.

“How do you know my name?” I said with a frown.

“Your blog.” He was still smiling.

My eyebrows rose.

“You've read it?”

“Every post.”

That caught me off guard.

“Why?”

Jace shrugged. “You're a good writer.”

I wasn't prepared for that.

“I thought you were supposed to hate Northvale.”

“I do.”

He smiled.

“I just don't think I have to hate everyone who goes there.”

Before I could respond, his eyes dropped to the book tucked beneath her arm.

“Is that...., The Picture of Dorian Gray?”

I looked down.

“You've read it?”

“Twice.”

My suspicion faltered.

And somehow, I forgot I was talking to the guy Ryder had warned me about.

Then Jace glanced toward the locker room.

“You waiting for Blackwell?”

I nodded.

Jace's smile barely changed.

“He's lucky.”

“Why?”

Jace looked directly at me.

“Because he has someone like you waiting for him.”

My cheeks warmed.